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In the Philippines, Beauty Is More Than Skin Deep
Written by Robert Kittel, Director of Peace Education, UPF-Asia
Sunday, December 7, 2008
There’s a saying, “beauty is skin deep.” Well, the Mister and Miss University (MMU) beauty pageant is a contest that’s more than skin deep.
On December 6, in fact, the pageant began to look inside the human heart to uncover the character, moral values and the depth of public-mindedness in each of the 46 candidates representing 24 colleges and universities throughout the Philippines.
At the press conference and launching of the 2008 pageant, the candidates (called “delegates” so as to deemphasize the spirit of competition that dominates many pageants) each introduced themselves and was introduced to the MMU officials through the lively question and answer sessions from the media.
One question at the press conference, with two local TV stations and six print media attending, was hypothetical. “What if,” asked one reporter, “the winner of the contest were later discovered to be gay?”
Organizers answered this by stressing the theme, ‘One Family Under God.’ “It would not be a problem,” said Mrs. Sharleen Tomobe, adding that this would be unlike to happen because MMU is so clear from the beginning about its stance on family-centered ethics.
MMU differs from the ‘normal’ pageant in three ways: 1) included in the contest are classes that teach the importance of character development and family values, 2) each delegate will participate in a community service project during the pageant, and 3) there is no swim suit competition.
The MMU pageant is trying to set a new standard for the art, music, and movie industry since beauty pageants are often entry level for students to get involved into the powerful, often immoral, world of entertainment.
“What about the relationship between beauty and peace?” was another query. There was a very close relationship between these, it was explained. Beauty is actually an attribute of peace. If we have a peaceful relationship between more mind and body, we become beautiful people. Children raised in a peaceful home are more beautiful.
On the contrary, ugly things are never peaceful. Things like war, selfishness, crime, pollution, corruption, and exploitation are neither beautiful nor peaceful.
Ms. Fahly Poblete, 20 and PUP student, was winner of the Miss University for the Philippines in 2007. “It is an opportunity to help set a new standard for young people,” she said, explaining that “winning is more about serving and educating because you will have the opportunity to speak to many, many people.”
The winners—Mister and Miss Philippines 2008—will go on to represent the Philippines next year in an MMU International pageant planned for October.
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